Sagarmala Initiative Accelerates Maritime Infrastructure Growth

Apr 11 (BNP): India’s flagship port-led development initiative, the Sagarmala programme, continues to strengthen the country’s maritime economy with significant progress in infrastructure expansion, cargo movement, and employment generation.

According to official updates, the programme has already completed 315 projects, while 210 projects are currently under implementation and another 320 are in the planning stage. These initiatives are aimed at modernising ports, improving connectivity, and boosting industrial activity along India’s coastline.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

A major focus has been port modernisation, with 120 projects completed, adding more than 400 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of new handling capacity. In addition, 106 completed road and rail connectivity projects have significantly improved cargo evacuation efficiency, reducing delays and improving trade competitiveness.

The shift toward coastal shipping and inland waterways has also seen strong growth. Coastal cargo movement has increased to 195 MTPA from 87 MTPA, marking a rise of 118%, while inland waterway cargo has surged dramatically to 145.50 MTPA from 18.10 MTPA, reflecting a growth of nearly 700%. This transition has helped reduce logistics costs by moving freight from road to more efficient water-based transport systems.

Officials note that the programme is playing a crucial role in strengthening India’s economic growth by lowering transportation costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing export competitiveness.

The Sagarmala initiative is also expected to generate large-scale employment opportunities, with an estimated potential of around one crore jobs, including 40 lakh direct and 60 lakh indirect positions through port-led industrialisation and related infrastructure development.

Overall, the programme is emerging as a key driver in transforming India’s maritime sector into a modern, efficient, and globally competitive logistics hub, supporting the country’s long-term economic growth ambitions.